Trump seeks to calm protests — and reassure own camp

November 14, 2016 6:57 am

By AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE, New York, United States, Nov 14 – Donald Trump sought in his first televised interview as president-elect to reassure Americans fearful of a crackdown on minorities — while assuring his core supporters he will not let them down on gun rights, abortion or immigration.

The Republican billionaire — whose shock election on a populist and anti-immigration platform has spurred days of protests — told demonstrators they have no reason to fear his presidency.

“Don’t be afraid. We are going to bring our country back,” he said in the interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes.”

Trump said he was “saddened” by reports that incidents of harassment and intimidation of minorities had spiked since his election — and called for it to end.

“I hate to hear that. I am so saddened to hear that,” Trump said when asked about the reports. “If it helps. I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: Stop it.”

Millions were expected to tune in to “60 Minutes” for clues on how the populist billionaire will govern, and how far he intends to convert his strident campaign slogans into hard and fast policy.

Trump sent out clear signals to his core electorate on a string of flashpoint issues.

He reaffirmed plans to aggressively deport or jail as many as three million undocumented immigrants — those with criminal records, he said.

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